2014 Pumpkin Patch Thread

50991 Views 639 Replies 42 Participants Last post by UnOrthodOx, Dec 19, 2014

matthewthemanparker

Discussion Starter · Apr 27, 2014

Anybody started yet? Yesterday I tilled my garden and got it ready for planting. I live in south Georgia so risk of frost was gone a month ago. I plan on getting some seeds this week to go along with the seeds I saved from carving last year and plant Saturday. This is my second year attempting to grow with last year not going too well. I had a couple of pumpkins reach the size of baseballs and softballs but ended up turning to mush seemingly overnight. Crossing my fingers this year for at least a couple of good carving pumpkins this year.

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 6 of 640 Posts

Deadna

· #454 · Aug 4, 2014

I have pumpkins on a stick but no pic yet. The plant was thick and full but something kept eating tiny holes in the leaves,then alot of the leaves turned brown and dropped off. I now have buds tho' so it looks like it's recovering.
I also grew snake gourds this year. I built this arbor back in may for my grapes you can barely see peeking under the gourds which have gone crazy. The gourds aren't forming very fast and there are some only pinkie sized so far. Is it strange that it only blooms at night?
http://www.halloweenforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=206552&d=1407128092

Save

Reactions: 2

Deadna

· #465 · Aug 5, 2014

WitchyKitty said:
Flowers blooming at night?? I have never heard of that...unless you are lucky enough to have some night active bees, how would they ever get pollinated? I would be out there hand pollinating, for sure! There aren't any bees hanging out around my patches at night...

Here is a pic I took tonight at 9pm as they were opening. I noticed they also stand straight up on top of the arbor,nearly 2 feet taller as the night goes on. No need to pollinate,I've seen lots of gourds starting.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 1

Deadna

· #556 · Aug 21, 2014

UnOrthodOx said:
I've never seen it leap to corn here. Grapes, yes. Corn, no.

I have grapes fighting for space on the arbor with my snake gourds. The gourds are covered with mildew but the grapes are fine...I was worried about them catching it. About 10 feet away is a magnolia that is covered in mildew...as a matter of fact it was the first plant that got it so I guess it spread it to my gourds. I've been spraying the milk/baking soda mix with some results. My gourds are 4-5 feet long so I hope they make it.

Save

Deadna

· #594 · Sep 2, 2014

I am losing the battle with mildew on my snake gourd vines

I have alot of gourds that are 4-5 feet long...do I need the vines anymore? I know I am supposed to harvest after a frost kills them but they probably won't make it till then.

Save

Deadna

· #605 · Sep 4, 2014

UnOrthodOx said:
Depends on what you want to do with the gourds. General rule on pumpkins or gourds is that you want them to harden off, this means the stem needs to get nice and hard. Sometimes it will change color, sometimes not, depends on variety. The skin of the fruit will also get tougher. Once that's done, the plant is done with that fruit and has moved it's energy off to others. In gourds especially, the plant transfers some enzymes to the fruit that help it dry properly. Now, if you're planning to dry your gourds and save them for bird houses, craft projects, or just for years to come, it is considered best practice to leave them out in the field to dry. Let the vine die away to crispy brown nothing before you even think of harvesting. Usually November. If you just cant, and need to remove the vines and want to dry the gourds, consider putting them on a pallet, and choose a WELL VENTILATED area. Air movement is critical, and outside is often best. Rain won't delay the drying, despite being counter-intuitive. Gourds also like to grow mold, THIS DOES NOT MEAN IT IS ROTTING. It's a normal part of the drying process. Getting soft is rotting, and remove it ASAP.

Alot of good info! I want my gourds to dry and paint later but the plants seem to be dying and the stems are yellowing and turning mushy so I don't think I'm going to get the brown crispy vines. They are on a 6 foot arbor and so far the stems are holding the weight of the gourds,I think I will try to lay the gourds across the top lattice for support and circulation. Otherwise the plant just looks bad and I can't wait to do a cleanup job but I'll hold off. Thanks!

Save

Deadna

· #632 · Oct 16, 2014

My pumpkins on a stick have finally started changing color!

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 2

1 - 6 of 640 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month